Arsene Wenger blames poor performance on 'suicidal defending'
It wasn't the reunion Arsene Wenger was hoping for when Arsenal hosted AS Monaco on Wednesday.
Wenger, who coached the French squad for seven season, witnessed Arsenal blow a golden opportunity at the Emirates Stadium as they dropped the first leg of their round-of-16 meeting.
The team's defensive display was the biggest cause of concern for the Arsenal boss, as mistakes on the final two goals leave Arsenal in a unenviable position before the second leg in Monaco.
Wenger: "We missed chances and we were not at the level defensively. We had luck to come back to 2-1 but no right to give a goal away."
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 25, 2015
Wenger: "We were a bit suicidal defensively." #afc
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 25, 2015
Wenger now. "It looks like we have lost our nerves and our rationality. The heart took over the head and at this level that doesn't work."
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 25, 2015
Arsenal's all-or-nothing attitude with a 1-0 deficit cost the team dearly, as the second Monaco goal came on a devastating counter-attack that led to a Dimitar Berbatov goal. The third, just minutes after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's sublime striker, buried the squad when a giveaway in the Monaco end led to another counter-attack and another goal for the visitors.
Arsenal will have to get things sorted out before the next fixture if they have any hope of advancing past the round-of-16 for the first time in five season. They visit Monaco on March 17 and will need at least a 3-0 win to move on.
Wenger: "We have a smaller chance but no matter how big the chance is, we go for it. We prepare for our next game."
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 25, 2015